SAINTS star David Barron hopes to clock up the miles next season – by helping the Buddies qualify for Europe.

The Paisley club currently sit in ninth place in the SPL – six points adrift of sixth-placed Hearts – but Barron still has his sights set on finishing in the top half of the table.

And that would leave the door ajar for European qualification, which has eluded St Mirren for the last quarter of a century.

The top five teams in the SPL are likely to be handed entry into European competition next season but Rangers – who entered administration earlier this month – could be banned from flying the flag for Scotland unless they can get their financial affairs in order by March 31.

And 24-year-old Barron would love to be looking out his passport come the end of the season.

He said: “The prospect of more European places is an extra incentive for clubs like us. It would be brilliant.

“Just getting there would be a great achievement for a team like St Mirren.

“A few victories could get us in there.”

The Buddies’ last European adventure saw them compete in the Cup Winners’ Cup back in 1987, when they lost in the second round to Belgian aces Mechelen.

And Barron reckons a Euro trek for the St Mirren class of 2012 would be one of the highlights of his career.

He laughed: “It would be superb and I wouldn’t have to worry about my summer holidays. I’m from Gourock and we only go to Wemyss Bay!”

Saints have failed to win a league game since defeating Rangers in Paisley way back on Christmas Eve, although they have drawn their last four SPL matches, with three of those ending 0-0.

And Barron admits the Paisley players will need to step it up a gear in the next few weeks if they want to keep their European dream alive.

He added: “We’re not kidding anyone – we haven’t played as well in recent weeks as we were a few months ago.

“The lack of goals isn’t a worry but it’s something we know we must put right.

“We have to put the draws to bed as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, stricken Saints defender Marc McAusland will see a specialist today to determine the best course of action to repair his fractured eye socket.